REPRESENTATIVE DELEGATES. Adams-JAMES M'SHERRY, THADDEUS STEVENS. Allegheny-MATTHEW HENDERSON, ANDREW BAYNE, WALTER FORWARD, H. GOLD ROGERS. Armstrong-WILLIAM CURLL. Bedford-ANDREW J. CLINE, JACOB BARNDOLLAR. Berks-GEORGE M. KEIM, JAMES DONAGAN, WILLIAM HIGH, MARK DARRAH. Beaver-JOHN DICKEY, DANIEL AGNEW. Bradford-NATHANIEL CLAPP. Bucks-JOHN HOUPT, SAMUEL CAREY, PHINEAS JENKS. Butler-SAMUEL A. PURVIANCE. Centre-WILLIAM SMYTH. Chester-WILLIAM DARLINGTON, MORGAN J. THOMAS, MATTHIAS PENNYPACKER, JOHN CHANDLER. Columbia-EZRA S. HAYHURST. Crawford-DAVID M. FARRELLY, GEORGE SHELLITO. CumberlandRICHARD M. CRAIN, DAVID NEVIN. Delaware-GEORGE SERRILL. Dauphin-WILLIAM HENDERSON, WILLIAM CLARK. Erie-JAMES POLLOCK, THOMAS H. SILL. Fayette-WILLIAM L. MILLER, DAVID GILMORE. Franklin-GEORGE CHAMBERS, JOSEPH SNIVELY. Greene-SAMUEL CLEAVINGER. Huntingdon-SAMUEL ROYER, CORNELIUS CRUM. Indiana-JAMES TODD. Jefferson, Warren and McKean-THOMAS HASTINGS. Lancaster-JEREMIAH BROWN, LINDLEY COATES, RICHARD E. COCHRAN, JOSEPH KONIGMACHER, HENRY G. LONG, EMANUEL C. REIGART. Lebanon-GEORGE SELTZER. Lehigh-JACOB DILLINGER, JOSEPH FRY, Jr. Luzerne WILLIAM SWETLAND, ANDREW Bedford. Lycoming and Clearfield-JOHN A. GAMBLE, THOMAS TAGGART. Mercer-THOMAS S. CUNNINGHAM, JAMES MONTGOMERY. MontgomeryJOHN B. STERIGERE, JOEL K. MANN, TOBIAS SELLERS. Northumberland-WILLIAM GEARHART. Northampton and Monroe-JAMES M. PORTER, WILLIAM OVERFIELD, JAMES KENNEDY. Perry-ALEXANDER MAGEE. Philadelphia city-THOMAS P. COPE, WILLIAM M. MEREDITH, JOHN M. SCOTT, JAMES C. BIDDLE, Joseph R. CHANDLER, MATTHIAS W. BALDWIN, JOSEPH HOPKINSON. Philadelphia county-CHARLES BROWN, JOSEPH M. DORAN, THOMAS WEAVER, JOHN J. M'ČAHEN, JOHN FOULKROD, PIERCE BUTLER, BENJAMIN MARTIN, THOMAS EARLE. Somerset and Cambria-ROBERT YOUNG, JOSHUA F. Cox. Schuylkill-JACOB KREBS. Susquehanna-JABEZ HYDE. Tioga and Potter-ROBERT G. WHITE. Union, Mifflin and Juniata-WILLIAM L. HARRIS, EPHRAIM BANKS, JOHN CUMMIN. Venango CHRISTIAN MYERS. WashingtonTHOMAS M'CALL, WALTER CRAIG, AARON KERR. Wayne and PikeVIRGIL GRENELL. Westmoreland-GEORGE T. CRAWFORD, LEBBEUS L. BIGELOW. York-JOHN R. DONNELL, JACOB STICKEL, SAMUEL C. BON HAM. The delegates were all present, with the exception of T. HASTINGS, of Jefferson. Mr. HOPKINSON, of Philadelphia city, moved that the delegates present proceed to the election of a resident. Mr. EARLE, of Philadelphia, moved to postpone the further consideration of the motion, and that a committee be appointed to report what officers should be elected by the Convention. Mr. CHANDLER, of Chester, called for a division of the question, and the question being taken on the first member of the motion, it was decided in the negative, after a brief discussion in which Mr. STEVENS, of Adams, Mr. MARTIN, of Philadelphia, and Mr. BELL, of Chester, participated. Mr. BELL, of Chester, moved that the rules of the House of Repre sentatives be adopted for the government of the meeting, until otherwise ordered; which was decided in the negative. Mr. DORAN, of Philadelphia, moved that the election for President be by ballot. Mr. STEVENS, of Adams, moved to amend the motion, by striking out the words "by ballot", and inserting, in lieu thereof, the words "viva voce", and this amendment being agreed to, the motion, as amended, was adopted. Mr. M'SHERRY, of Adams, then nominated JOHN SERGEANT, of Philadelphia, to be President of the Convention. Mr. DILLINGER, of Lehigh, nominated JAMES M. PORTER, of Northampton, for the office of President. The delegates present then proceeded to the election of a President, and the votes were taken as follows: For JOHN SERGEANT-Messrs. Agnew, Ayres, Baldwin, Barndollar, Barnitz, Bayne, Biddle, Brown, of Lancaster, Carey, Chambers, Chandler, of Chester, Chandler, of Philadelphia, Chauncey, Clapp, Clarke, of Beaver, Clark, of Dauphin, Cline, Coates, Cochran, Cope, Cox, Craig, Crum, Cunningham, Darlington, Denny, Dickerson, Dickey, Dunlop, Forward, Harris, Henderson, of Allegheny, Henderson, of Dauphin, Hiester, Hopkinson, Houpt, Jenks, Kerr, Konigmacher, Long, Maclay, M'Call, M'Dowell, M'Sherry, Meredith, Merrill, Merkel, Montgomery, Pennypacker, Pollock, Porter, of Lancaster, Purviance, Reigart, Royer, Russell, Saeger, Scott, Seltzer, Serrill, Sill, Snively, Stevens, Thomas, Todd, Weidman, Young.-66. For JAMES M. PORTER-Messrs. Banks, Barclay, Bedford, Bell, Bigelow, Bonham, Brown, of Northampton, Brown, of Philadelphia, Butler, Clarke of Indiana, Cleavinger, Crain, Crawford, Cummin, Curll, Darrah, Dillinger, Donagan, Donnell, Doran, Earle, Farrelly, Fleming, Foulkrod, Fry, Fuller, Gamble, Gearhart, Gilmore, Grenell, Hamlin, Hayhurst, Helffenstein, High, Hyde, Ingersoll, Keim, Kennedy, Krebs, Lyons, Magee, Mann, Martin, M'Cahen, Miller, Myers, Nevin, Overfield, Read, Riter, Ritter, Rogers, Sellers, Scheetz, Shellito, Smith, Smyth, Stickel, Swetland, Taggart, Weaver, White, Woodward.-63. For JAMES CLARKE, Mr. Porter, of Northampton, 14 JOHN SERGEANT, having received a majority of the whole number of votes present, was declared duly elected President of the Convention, and was conducted to the chair by Mr. PORTER, of Northampton. After having taken the chair, the President addressed the Convention as follows: "GENTLEMEN, Delegates to this Convention: The station you have called me to by your election, is one which, in this Commonwealth, and elsewhere in our country, has been occupied by the most eminent citizens. However unworthy I must feel myself, to be associated with the illustrious names which form the roll of Presidents of Conventions, it cannot but be felt as a high honour to have a place in the same list with them. It is deeply felt to be so, and I beg you to accept for it my most sincere acknowledgments. "The subjects we are to deliberate upon, are of no ordinary character. It is not an exaggeration to say, that they are of transcendent importance The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania was one of the first, if not the very first, to imitate the example of the whole people of the United States, in taking down the fabric of government which had been provided amidst the exigencies of a new and disturbed state of existence, and in replacing it by a solid structure, deliberately formed, and intended to give permanent se curity to all the rights of every member of the community. At the end of almost fifty years, the system of social order which was then framed, is committed to our hands, that we may examine it, and, if need be, propose to our fellow citizens such improvements as this great fundamental law may seem to require. Such a work, it must be acknowledged, demands the utmost exertion of wisdom-exemption, as far as possible, from the influence of prejudice and passion, and every disturbing motive-and, withal, a spirit of pure and generous patriotism, which seeks no other gratification than to promote the lasting happiness of those who are, and those who are to be, the inhabitants of this great and favoured Commonwealth. "A constant sense of the magnitude of the duty we are called to perform, and of the grave accountability we are under for its faithful performance, cannot fail to produce calmness and order in our deliberations; while at the same time, a becoming seriousness, with mutual kindness and respect, will be an earnest to our fellow citizens of the singleness of purpose with which we follow the path of that great duty, and, with the blessing of a gracious Providence upon our counsels, the best means of accomplishing good results. "To the utmost of my humble powers, I promise to co-operate with you in whatever will tend to give character and efficacy to our proceedings. With but little aid from experience, I am very sensible of my deficiencies, and how much I stand in need of your continual indulgence and support. My hope, and my belief are that they will be liberally extended to unintentional error; and further than this, you may be assured there will be no claim. "Pardon me for detaining you a moment longer, to express to you my heartfelt wish that all who are here assembled may, to the last day of their lives, have cause to rejoice in the acts of this Convention, with a firm conviction that they have done nothing to weaken the foundations of human freedom and happiness." On motion of Mr. HIESTER, it was Resolved, That when this Convention adjourns, it will adjourn to meet again tomorrow morning at 10 o'clock, and that the hour of meeting daily be 10 o'clock, A M. until otherwise ordered. The Convention then adjourned. WEDNESDAY, MAY 3, 1837. The PRESIDENT laid before the Convention the following communications which were ordered to be laid on the table. From FRANCIS R. SHUNK, SAMUEL SHOCH and JOHN K. ZEILIN, requesting the appointment of Secretary of the Convention; and from DANIEL ECKLES, requesting to be appointed Doorkeeper: also from JOSEPH BLACK, and JAMES E. MITCHELL, requesting the appointment of Sergeant-at-Arms. From SAMUEL D. PATTERSON and EMANUEL GUYER, requesting to be appointed Printer of the English journals of the Convention; and from Messrs. BAAB & RITTER, requesting to be appointed Printers of the journals in the German language. From Messrs. PACKER, BARRETT & PARKE, requesting to be appointed Printers of the debates of the Convention in the English language; and from EMANUEL GUYER, requesting to be appointed Printer of the debates in the German language. "On motion of Mr. STERIGERE, of Montgomery, it was Ordered, That when the Secretary or Secretaries shall be appointed, they make the journal of this Convention, from the assembling thereof to the present time, conform to the usual order of journals, under the direction of the President. Mr. STERIGERE, of Montgomery, submitted the following resolution : Resolved, That the Convention proceed to elect, viva voce, the following officers, viz: Two Secretaries, one Sergeant-at-Arms, one assistant Sergeant-at-Arms, one Doorkeeper, and one assistant Doorkeeper, one Stenographer, and one assistant Stenographer; and that the said Secretaries shall be authorised to employ, with the approbation of the President of the Convention, such transcribing clerks as shall be found necessary for the transaction of the business of the Convention. Mr. PORTER, of Northampton, moved to amend the resolution by striking therefrom all after the word “ Resolved”, and inserting, in lieu thereof the following: "That it is expedient to elect, as officers of this Convention, one Secretary, and one assistant Secretary; one Sergeant-at-Arms, and one assistant Sergeant-at-Arms; one Doorkeeper, and one assistant Doorkeeper; one Stenographer, and one assistant Stenographer; and that the said Secretaries shall be authorised to employ, with the approbation of the President of the Convention, such transcribing clerks as shall be found necessary for the transaction of the business of the Convention; which motion was negatived. Mr. DUNLOP, of Franklin, moved to amend the resolution, by striking therefrom all after "Resolved", and inserting, in lieu thereof, as follows, viz: "That the Convention do now proceed to the election of a Secretary, who shall be authorised, with the approbation of the Convention, to appoint the necessary assistants. Mr. STEVENS, of Adams, moved to amend the amendment, by striking from it, all after the word "Secretary"; which was agreed to. Mr. BROWN, of Philadelphia, moved to amend the amendment by striking out the words "a Secretary", and inserting in lieu of it, the words "two Secretaries"; which was determined in the negative. And the amendment, as amended, having been adopted, the resolution was agreed to. Mr. DORAN, of Philadelphia, moved that the election of a Secretary be by ballot. Mr. STEVENS, of Adams, moved to amend the motion by striking out the words "by ballot", and inserting the words "viva voce", and on this question the yeas and nays were demanded. The question was then taken on the resolution to amend, and decided in the affirmative, as follows: YEAS-Messrs. Agnew, Ayres, Baldwin, Barndollar, Barnitz, Bayne, Bedford, Biddle, Brown, of Lancaster, Carey, Chambers, Chandler, of Chester, Chandler, of Philadelphia, Chauncey, Clapp, Clarke, of Beaver, Clark, of Dauphin, Cline, Coates, Cochran, Cope, Cox, Craig, Crum, Cunningham, Darlington, Denny, Dickey, Dickerson, Dunlop, Forward, Gilmore, Harris, Henderson, of Allegheny, Henderson, of Dauphin, Hiester, Hopkinson, Houpt, Jenks, Kerr, Konigmacher, Long, Maclay, M'Call, M'Cahen, M'Dowell, M'Sherry, Meredith, Merrill, Merkel, Montgomery, Pennypacker, Pollock, Porter, of Lancaster, Purviance, Reigart, Royal, Russell, Saeger, Scott, Seltzer, Serrill, Sill, Snively, Sterigere, Stevens, Thomas, Todd, Weidman, Young, Sergeant, President—71. NAYS-Messrs. Banks, Barclay, Bell, Bigelow, Bonham, Brown, of Northampton, Brown, of Philadelphia, Butler, Clarke, of Indiana, Cleavinger, Crain, Crawford, Cummin, Curll, Darrah, Dillinger, Donagan, Donnel, Doran, Earle, Farrelly, Fleming, Foulkrod, Fry, Fuller, Gamble, Gearhart, Grenell, Hamlin, Hayhurst, Helffenstein, High, Hyde, Ingersoll, Keim, Kennedy, Krebs, Lyons, Magee, Mann, Martin, Miller, Myers, Nevin, Overfield, Porter, of Northampton, Read, Riter, Ritter, Rogers, Sellers, Scheetz, Shellito, Smith, Smyth, Stickel, Swetland, Taggart, Weaver, White, Woodward-61. Mr STEVENS, of Adams, nominated SAMUEL SHOCH for the office of Secretary, and Mr. PORTER, of Northampton, nominated FRANCIS R. SHUNK. The Convention then proceeded to the election, and the votes being taken, it appeared that the numbers were For SAMUEL SHOCH, For FRANCIS R. SHUNK, SAMUEL SHOCH was therefore declared to be duly elected. 67 65 Mr. DORAN, of Philadelphia, submitted the following resolution: Resolved, That the Convention proceed to the election of an additional secretary. Mr. MERRILL, of Union, moved to amend the resolution, by striking out the word "additional", and inserting in lieu of it the word "assistant"; which was decided in the negative. Mr. STEVENS, of Adams, moved to amend the resolution by adding the following words: "and that the Secretaries, with the approbation of the President, be authorised to employ such assistants as may be necessary", which was accepted by the mover as a modification of his resolution; and the resolution thus modified, was agreeed to. Mr. BROWN, of Philadelphia, moved to postpone the election for the present, and that the fifth, sixth and eleventh sections of the act of Assembly, entitled "An act providing for the call of a Convention to propose amendments to the constitution of the State, to be submitted to the people thereof, for their ratification or rejection", passed the twenty-ninth of March, one thousand eight hundred and thirty-six, be read and made part of the journal, which was agreed to. The sections were then read as follows: "SECT. 5. It shall be the duty of the Secretary of the Commonwealth, on receiving the returns of the elections held on the said first Friday in November next, for delegates to the said Convention, from the respective sheriffs, to submit the same to the Governor, who upon summing up and ascertaining the number of votes given, for each and every person so returned as voted for as delegate, shall thereupon declare, by proclamation, the names of the persons duly chosen and elected delegates to the Convention. "SECT. 6. It shall be the duty of the delegates elected as aforesaid, to assemble at the State Capitol, at Harrisburg, on the first Tuesday of May, one thousand eight hundred and thirty-seven, and organize by electing a President, and in case of the death or resignation of any of the members of said convention, the President thereof shall issue his writs of election, directed to the sheriff of the proper county, directing an election to be held to fill such vacancy or vacancies, in the same manner that is provided for supplying vacancies in the Senate and House of Representatives, and after the said convention shall have so organized, from whence they may, if they think proper, adjourn to any other place, and proceed to the execution of the duties assigned them; and when the amendments |